Scanning with the Topcon Imaging Station

The following are the two methods that can be used for scanning:

Grid Scan: This method obtains point cloud data by automatic scanning at a specific pitch within a specific area.

Feature Scan: This method extracts features and/or corners from the image of a specific area shot with an IS camera. The features can be scanned automatically or measured by manually specifying the view. Measurement data can be exported to a text file for processing with Image Master. For details, see the Image Master operation manual.
The work flow is done as follows:
1. From TopSURV ONBOARD the Imaging station: Launch the Scanning program from the Survey Menu.
2. Check "Area Name Setting" button at "Main Scanning" window scanning area setting.
3. On the "Main Scanning" Window, area name, specifies the method of scanning area and image capture option for the scanning area.
4. On the Main Scanning window select the area of scan.

5. On the "Main Scanning" Window, select "Grid Scanning setting" button."Grid Scanning setting" Window will appear, then select the grid settings. Be sure to “probe” for average object distance. Select when complete.

6. In the "Main Scanning" Window will appear when Scan Start button is selected. On the "Scanning Select" Window, the kind of the scanning is selected, and the scanning set by steps 3 and 4 begins.

7. On the "Main Scanning" Window, select CF button to output scanning result to an external storage device (thumb drive).
8. Save scan points to the TopSURV job if required.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Main Scanning Window

There are two types of Main Scanning windows: an "initial window" and a "registered area window". When "No image" mode is selected on "Area Name Setting" Window the panoramic image is not displayed in the state of “Registered Area".
On the initial window, use the area setting button to specify the scan area.
The registered area window shows a panorama image of the specified area. Use the feature scan button and grid scan setting button to configure scan settings.
Only the "Grid Scanning setting" button can be selected for the mode "No image".
Use the start scan button (E) to start scanning after feature scan setting and grid interval settings are configured.
• Zoom Buttons: Use these buttons to change the magnification of the image. These buttons are enabled on the registered area window only.
Zoom ln: Zooms in on the displayed image.
Zoom Out: Zooms out from the displayed image.
• Scan Function Buttons: These buttons are assigned various scan functions.
Scan area setting:
Use this button to specify the scan area. Selecting this button displays the Area Name Setting dialog box.

Area Name Setting Window

On this screen the set area name and method of scanning is selected with or without image.
There are 5 methods of scanning methods as follows:
Square Area: Set top-left and bottom-right angle by observation.
Polygonal Area: Set vertex of polygon by observation.
All around: Set vertical angle of start and end points by observation. Horizontal angle is set O to 360[deg] automatically.
Line: Set vertical and horizontal angle of start point and vertical angle of end point by observation. Horizontal angle of end point is automatically set to same value as start point.
Specifies plane: The 3D parallelogram including the three points is made by measuring the top in respect by three points, and the area of the scanning is set. Even if the occupied point is moved when this method is specified, the same area can be scanned again.
Enter an area name and click. This displays the Scan Area Setting window.
The following characters are allowed in area names:
0-9, a-z, A-Z, dash (-), and underbar (_). An area name can be up to 20 characters long.
Selecting displays a file dialog box that can be used to specify an existing area tile. Selecting an existing area file to import the camera file (lS.cmr), DAT file (IS.dat) and occupied point file (OccInfo.inf) in the same directory. The file contents will be used for subsequent calculations.
Feature Scan Settings:
This button displays the Feature Scan Setting dialog box, which can be used to specify the view and to configure feature scan mode settings. This button is enabled on the registered area window only.
Furthermore, Also disable if select "No image" mode on the "Area Name Setting” Window.
Grid Interval Settings:
This button displays the Grid Interval Settings dialog box for configuring grid scan mode settings. This button is enabled on the registered area window only.
Start Scan:
This button displays the Scanning Select dialog box, which can be used to select the scanning type. After selecting a scan type, the Feature Scan dialog box and/or Grid Scan dialog box appears, and you can start scanning.

Scanning Select: The above check boxes are not enabled unless feature scan settings and/or grid interval settings are configured.
Output to CF Card:

Scan Area Setting Window

The "Scan Area setting" window will be different according to the specified area type selected .

Grid Interval Settings Window

The Grid Interval Settings dialog box appears as shown below:

Configure and confirm these settings before performing a scan operation. The initial default settings are: Non-stop for Scan Mode, Normal for Detail mode, NP for NP Mode, and Angle for Interval.
Returns to “Main Scanning Window”.
Register scanning settings.
Scan Mode
• Stop: Perform point scanning with FINE/CRS mode.
• Non Stop: Perform column by column scanning with FAST CRS mode.
EDM Mode: FINE or CRS
• FINE: scanning with FINE mode.
• CRS: scanning with CRS mode.
Detail Mode
• Detail: Performs measurements at variable rotation speed rather than fixed speed. This setting allows more accurate measurement of structures with very uneven surfaces. This option causes measurement to take longer.
• Normal: Performs measurement at fixed rotation speed.
NP Mode: Select NP, LNP, NP/LNP in accordance with the distance to the object being scanned.
• Normal: Specify this setting when the distance is approximately 3 to 120 meters.
• Long: Specify this setting when the distance is approximately 30 to 1200 meters.
Selection of Normal is recommended for distances of 120 meters and less to avoid accuracy problems.
• Normal/Long: Measures using Normal mode by default. If measurement cannot be performed, switches automatically to Long mode.
Interval: Select Angle, Distance, or Points.
• Angle: Specify the H and V interval angles.
• Distance: Specify the H and V interval distances.
Note, however, that when Distance is selected, the distance to the object being scanned must be measured or entered. Use the [Probe] button to measure the distance to the objector enter the distance for [At Distance].
• CALC: calculate H and V interval angles using At Distance.
• Points: Specify the H and V interval points.

Configuring the Topcon FC-25/25A (Getac PS535F) GPS for Use with i-Tree Streets

 

Topcon FC-25/25A is a pocket-sized, lightweight body with exceptional ruggedness. Conforming to the MIL standard and IP65 dust/water protection.

Features include:

• Windows Mobile® 6.5
• Embedded 20 Channel GPS Receiver
• WLAN/Bluetooth® Wireless
• 533MHz CPU / 256MB SDRAM
• Field-exchangeable Li-ion Battery
• Rugged and Lightweight (11.3 oz.)
• IP65 Dust/Water Protection
• FC-25A also with Built-in Camera, Compass, and Altimeter

i-Tree is a state-of-the-art, peer-reviewed software suite from the USDA Forest Service that provides urban forestry analysis and benefits assessment tools. i-Tree Tools are in the public domain and are freely accessible. http://www.itreetools.org/

To access i-Tree tools you will have to create a Username and Password and download the installation software

Setup the FC-25:

1. Select the Start icon

2. Select Settings

3. Select System

4. Select External GPS

5. Set Hardware to COM2, 4800

6. Set Programs to COM4

7. Select

Configure i-Tree Streets

1. Connect FC-25 to PC via Active Sync or Mobile Device Center

2. On the PC install and launch i-Tree Tools Streets module

3. Open the Sample Project

4. Save the Project to a desired location and rename.

5. Open the saved Project.

6. Select Input>Data Fields

7. Check the GPS Lat/Long box and Select (this must be checked to activate GPS)

8. Select Tools > Work with PDA

9. If there is no Application Version shown select . After installing select to send the i-Tree project to the FC-25.

10. Select

11. Select File > Exit

12. On the FC-25 launch i-Tree Streets from the Start Menu.

13. Select icon.

14. Select COM4, 4800, none, 8, one,. Use GPS API (WM5+)

15.

16. Select , no need to Test GPS.

17. Select .

18. Select the tab.

19. Select the button. If all settings are good, you should see the Acquiring signal… message in the bottom Box. Once the GPS is acquired, the data fields will populate allowing capture of the positional data.